Concealed Carry Class, Just Got Back

I thought I'd go to the range today and fire and my new snubby .357 Magnum. Lo and Behold, they were starting a class just as I walked in so I figured "what the heck" and jumped right in. :)

First the instructor took us in to the range to see how we shot. He had us shoot at 10 yards right hand only, both hands, left hand only, then at 25 yards right hand only, both hands then left hand only at 25 yards (That's a ***** BTW, especially with a little snub nose I've never shot even once before). I didn't do too bad and only missed the target once (about the size of a paper plate).

After that, it was class time including all laws and a Q&A, safety, how a clear a jam in an automatic (whack and rack while staying on target with a SA semi-auto 9mm with a pin fired laser), proper drawing of a weapon from a strong side holster (4 step process, 1: Hand straight down on to weapon. 2: Draw straight up. 3: Rotate up on target at hip 4: Thrust up and forward while aligning sights and bringing left hand from chest to brace strong hand in a "teacup isoclese" for the revolver shooters.) which is much, much harder to do than you might think. It's like learning a new country dance, lol. The instructor was blazing fast while doing this and steps 2 and 3 could barely be followed by the naked eye.

We practiced these manuevers for quite some time and then it was time for range qualification. This was done on a working range with everyone blazing away on a man size target and he would shout commands and intetionally try to confuse us to simulate the stress we would be under. "Ready position! Fire two one hand right! Fire three quick as you can! Emergency reload, holster! Draw to postion 3 and fire two, aim for head!, Holster! Fire two center of mass left hand only! Emergency reload 3 and fire 3 as quick as you can!" Jeez, It was tough my friends. Don't forget that there were 5 other active shooting lanes and some big caliber rapid fire stuff going off during qualification. It rattled me and I didn't expect to be rattled.

All said and done, I walked in at 10am and walked out with my cert at 5pm. I passed with 83% (passing is 70%), 198 out of 240. No too bad considering it was spur of the moment, I used a borrowed holster and brand new snubby I've never once fired with mixed ammo . BUT, I realized the following and will follow up:

1: I need to practice on some stuff and he told me what I was doing wrong.
2: My previous experience with slow firing big caliber revolvers and autos really didn't apply much to self-defense.
3: Stress really kills accuracy
4: The other students cracked up at the size of my hands... My left hand was so big that it prevented the clip from falling free on a Springfield Armory medium size auto and my right hand completely hid the snub during position 1 and 2 of the draw. A neat old guy (late 60's) in overalls and about 6'3 and 240 commented on it. He told me I should just go back to my .45LC Ruger Vaquero and wear a duster, lol.
5: The instructor also commented that I should go to a big auto that would clear my hands and that I did great on the "laser" test.
6: That little Taurus I got is a powerhouse but quite managable and accurate. I can't wait to put another 500 rounds through it!
7: I need to dab a little flourescent paint on my front sight.

So, this was just a heads up on what to expect if anyone is thinking of going through this kind of training. This was really comprehensive and a permit could be had with lesser training but now I know what I'm capable of and will be able to carry in confidence. Needless to say, I won't say when I get my permit as then it would no longer be concealed. :read2: